Shakespeare's Richard III (1983 TV) -- opening of play

"Now is the winter of our discontent"

William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Richard the Third", Act 1, scene 1 (start of play to Anne's entrance)

Ron Cook ... Richard III
Paul Jesson ... George, Duke of Clarence
Derek Farr ... Sir Robert Brakenbury, Earl of Surrey
David Daker ... Lord Hastings

Ron Cook's quiet and sly Richard is a fine fit for the small screen

go here to view this version, with two others, of the opening soliliquy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GumLGIKT-Ak

go here to see Cook play this role in a bit from Shakespeare's "Henry VI, Part III":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nafT5ypFaU&mode=related&search=

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• RichardIII
• Shakespeare
• Brakenbury
• RonCook

[Clausewitz1]

This guy's performance is amazing. He is so subtle and eloquent. Even though he is a villain one can't help but to admire his wit and inteligence.

[kasiakasia777]

Try reading the same excerpt with the GCSE British students right now..... Most of them are either from Asia or Africa and have never ever heard about a guy called Shakespeare.

[PopcornOnTheFence]

I would like to see more Duchess of York scenes.

[PopcornOnTheFence]

You all are so subtle! It is hard to be subtle outdoors in a live theater. Your video helps me understand the play a bit more. Check out my channel to see some of our unsubtle scenes.

[PopcornOnTheFence]

That is excellent! I was in a performance of the show that was done outside. I hope you can appreciate my submission, and thank you for yours! If you do end up watching mine, be sure to read the comments which explains quite a bit. I am in the process of uploading the show from an old VHS tape from 1992. Wish me luck!

[TheMadSonneteer]

The best "Richard III" I've seen. I told Ron Cook (Richard) that when I saw him in "King Lear" with Derek Jacobi last year.

[judithjames11]

The greatest villain every invented. The real Richard was probably not deformed and was nowhere near as bad as he was painted, Shakespeare had an ulterior motive, to keep well in with Queen Elizabeth, a direct descendant of Henry VII who "stole" the crown from Richard. But as a character Richard is magical. Alan Lowe.

[shiptech2k9]

Richard wasn't a horrible person, his image was distorted for whatever reason it might be.

[stuckupcurlyguy]

@Primevalman Shakespeare had to write that way because he had to please Queen Elizabeth and avoid getting his head lopped off, keep bringing in crowds etc... What's interesting is the way he actually subtly undermines the Tudors supposed infallibility and indeed their supposedly absolute, God-given monarchy itself. In fact I think the audience has a large degree of sympathy for the "villain" who was in reality quite a good King as Kings go. I'd show you a few examples if I could be bothered.

[000xyz]

@piratesfan123 i love how he is intrinsically evil, and how well cook can portray that charisma

[Skipn27]

He was awesome in the Henry VI series.

[metyuewb]

@Clausewitz1 Subtle??? what's your idea of subtle? He's got no charm. He does not even mediate the character in the text. What wit and intelligence he's dry. The problem is with Shakespearean actors they're too preoccupied with 'acting Shakespeare' whatever that may be and sound like paper. Imagine what the performances must have been like when the audience didn't know it was Shakespeare and had to like Richard for Richard. Maybe smelt of life, perhaps!